Colorado BioScience Association Announces Finalists to be Honored 21st Annual Awards Celebration, Presented by AGC Biologics

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2024

Colorado BioScience Association Announces Finalists to be Honored 21st Annual Awards Celebration, Presented by AGC Biologics

Edgewise Therapeutics and Paragon 28 Named as Company of the Year Finalists; AOA Dx, PhotonPharma, and Ambrosia Biosciences Inc. Selected as Rising Star of the Year Finalists

DenverColorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announces the finalists for two of its prestigious annual awards, Company of the Year and Rising Star of the Year, celebrating established and high-growth Colorado companies for outstanding achievements in advancing life sciences innovation. CBSA will honor the finalists and reveal the winners during the 21st Annual Awards Celebration Presented by AGC Biologics. The event takes place at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

This year’s theme, All In, serves as the life sciences community’s rallying cry, echoing the commitment of Colorado’s life sciences community to lift each other up while collaborating on transformative technologies to heal people and change lives. It also serves as an invitation for those considering Colorado to join us, reinforcing the work of Colorado Hub for Health Impact, a national economic development campaign attracting new life sciences companies, talent, and investors to join Colorado’s thriving ecosystem.

“Congratulations to our Company of the Year finalists, Edgewise Therapeutics and Paragon 28, and our Rising Star finalists, AOA Dx, PhotonPharma, and Ambrosia Biosciences Inc.,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association. “These early-stage and high-growth companies have accomplished significant milestones in 2024, advancing their pioneering devices, diagnostics and therapeutics.  They represent the transformative impact of Colorado’s life sciences sector. We celebrate them for improving patient lives and solving some of the most pressing issues in healthcare.”

Company of the Year Finalists

Edgewise Therapeutics – A leading muscle disease biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for serious muscle diseases with life-limiting impacts including muscular dystrophies and serious cardiac conditions, the Boulder, Colorado-based company raised an estimated $240M in 2024 from notable investors including RA Capital Management, TCGX, and Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, Cormorant Asset Management, an affiliate of Deerfield Management Company, Frazier Life Sciences, Janus Henderson Investors, Novo Holdings A/S, Orbimed, Perceptive Advisors and Surveyor Capital (a Citadel company), among other funds. It also received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for EDG-5506 for the treatment of Duchenne and announced promising Phase 1 trial data for its treatment addressing one of the most common forms of heart disease. 

Paragon 28 – Based in Englewood, Colorado, this leading medical device company eats, sleeps, and breathes foot and ankle orthopedic innovations.  Paragon 28 launched seven new products in 2024 to re-invent foot and ankle surgeries and treatments for better and more consistent patient outcomes and experiences.  These product launches included the first of Paragon 28’s SMART28 initiative to improve all aspects of foot and ankle treatments through the utilization of artificial intelligence, data analytics, patient specific algorithms, 3D modeling, and other enabling technologies. The publicly traded company recently expanded its executive leadership team with the appointment Chadi Chahine, former Chief Financial Officer of Zimmer Biomet holdings, as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Supply Chain Operations.

Rising Star of the Year Finalists

AOA Dx – Founded in 2020, AOA Dx is at the forefront of developing a novel frontier in early-stage cancer detection for women.  After raising an oversubscribed $17 million seed round led by Good Growth Capital with participation from RH Capital, Y Combinator, Astia Fund, Adaptive Capital Partners, Gore Range Capital, LongeVC, The Helm, VU Venture Partners, and FemHealth Ventures, along with strategic diagnostic investors, including Labcorp Venture Fund, AOA Dx relocated to Colorado in 2024. Since moving to Denver, the company has continued to gain recognition for its groundbreaking work in research publications and national news outlets, including BMJ Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for Cancer Research, The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal.     

PhotonPharma – This immuno-oncology company has developed breakthrough technology to stimulate a patient’s immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, providing a novel approach to cancer treatment. Led by research executives from Colorado State University with deep experience commercializing products and launching successful biotech companies, PhotonPharma closed a $2.5M seed round in 2024, secured a state grant, and received clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for a first in human clinical study for Stage III/IV ovarian cancer treatment.  

Ambrosia Biosciences, Inc. – Ambrosia is scaling its drug discovery programs and laboratory operations in Boulder, reuniting a team of medicinal chemistry experts specializing in small molecule drug discovery from Array Biopharma, which was acquired by Pfizer in 2019 for $11 billion. Led by a serial entrepreneur with a long track record of success in Colorado, Ambrosia completed a $16 million Series A funding round led by BVF Partners and Boulder Ventures to developing orally delivered, small molecule-based therapies for obesity and other metabolic disorders.   

The event will also honor leaders who are supporting the health and growth of Colorado’s life sciences community, with awards including: Educator of the Year Sponsored by Fisher Scientific, Colorado BioScience Institute Leadership Award, Volunteer of the Year, Legislators of the Year, Business Partner of the Year, Building Momentum Award Sponsored by BioMed Realty, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Keynote Speaker Brooke Eby

CBSA welcomes ALS advocate Brooke Eby as the keynote speaker for this year’s event. Diagnosed with ALS at age 33, Brooke has used her platform to challenge misconceptions about the disease and raise awareness about the lack of effective treatments. Her story is one of resilience and advocacy, highlighting the need for greater research and support for ALS patients.

“Brooke’s inspiring story will remind us why we’re all in this together, working to save and improve lives through innovation and collaboration,” said Emily Martini, Vice President, Partnerships of Colorado BioScience Association. “Her journey exemplifies the dedication that drives our community to develop and commercialize life-saving medical technologies for patients.”

Event Details and Sponsorship Opportunities

Colorado’s life sciences community is invited to join us for this celebration of innovation and impact at the 21st Annual Awards Celebration Presented by AGC Biologics, on November 13, 2024, at the Seawell Ballroom in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. A limited number of sponsorships remain available.  

About Colorado BioScience Association

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products, and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital + Growth, Education + Networking, Policy + Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation initiatives to make its members stronger together. Learn more: cobioscience.com

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Media Contact:

Sheliah Reynolds
Primavera Group for Colorado BioScience Association
(720) 289-4739
sheliah@theprimaveragroup.com

Categories: CBSA News